Trump lands in Beijing ahead of high-stakes summit with Xi
President Donald Trump touched down in Beijing on Wednesday evening local time to begin a two-day summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, his first in nearly nine years.
The President was welcomed at the airport by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng, a military band and hundreds of flag-waving youth.
Trump is scheduled to meet Xi at around 10 a.m. local time on Thursday for the arrival ceremony, followed by a full day of meetings and events.
The high-stakes summit is expected to cover a wide range of controversial issues, including trade, technology, export controls, Taiwan and the Iran war, which are likely to feature prominently in the talks.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng held an hours-long preparatory meeting focused on economic and trade issues in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday. Beijing later described it as “candid, in-depth and constructive”.
However, as the structural rivalry and distrust between the two superpowers deepens, expectations for concrete results from the summit remain low.
Trump is accompanied by a delegation of high-profile business leaders, including tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jensen Huang.
Trump and Xi will have bilateral tea and a working lunch on Friday before the US leader returns to Washington.
Check out some of the photos below.
Trump is coming to Beijing
US President Donald Trump arrived in Beijing to launch a historic state visit to China on May 13, 2026.
Anatolia | Anatolia | Getty Images
300 young Chinese people greeted Trump
U.S. President Donald Trump (C) is accompanied by Chinese Vice President Han Zheng (R) upon his arrival at Beijing Capital Airport in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images
Elon Musk on the red carpet with Trump
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk follows U.S. President Donald Trump on the red carpet as he arrives at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, on May 13, 2026.
Alex Wong | Getty Images
Viewers hope to catch a glimpse of Trump
People gather to watch U.S. President Donald Trump’s Air Force One arrive at Beijing Capital Airport on May 13, 2026 in Beijing, China.
Fred Lee | Getty Images News | Getty Images
US and Chinese flags decorate Tiananmen Gate
American and Chinese flags fly near the portrait of the late Mao Zedong at the Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, May 14, 2026. This is the first visit by a US President to China since Trump’s last visit in 2017.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Chinese honor guard escorts Trump’s motorcade
Members of a Chinese motorcycle honor guard escort U.S. President Donald Trump’s motorcade as he arrives at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beijing, China, May 13, 2026.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
People gather in front of the Four Seasons Hotel
People gather to see US President Donald Trump’s motorcade in front of the Four Seasons Hotel, where he will stay during his trip to China.
Kevin Frayer | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Tight security in Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival
Police dogs and handlers patrol before the passage of US President Donald Trump’s motorcade in Beijing on May 13, 2026.
Pedro Pardo | Afp | Getty Images
US military planes in Beijing ahead of Trump’s arrival
US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III aircraft arrived at Beijing Capital International Airport ahead of US President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing, China on May 12, 2026.
VCG | Visual China Group | Getty Images
